Things I'd Like To See

[Battman]

These are a few things I would either like to see in the game, or seems to have disappeared from V24 to V25. These are really more animation issues, where the algorithm and the animation may not match up precisely. And these are really minor, but would just add to the enjoyment of watching the play.
1) Runners being thrown out by outfielders at bases other than home. I’m playing 1971 with V25. I played 1970 with V24. In V24, I saw one or two BATTERS thrown out trying to take an extra base. I also saw the occasional runner thrown out by the outfielder going to third. I have not seen that yet with V25, just past the All-star break. I will say that most were by my RFer, Roberto Clemente, whose arm seems to have fallen off drastically from 1970 to 1971. He still had a cannon in 1971.
2) I would like to see caught stealing animation closer sometimes. Right now, it is way too obvious with the ball reaching 2nd, and the runner just barely past the half way point.
3) Occasionally, on the throw for the typical double play, maybe arrive just a little late to first, making the speedy batter safe.
4) There are too many throws from the outfield trying to get the lead runner, which allows the batter to take an extra base. Now, you may say that this is in contrast to #1, but if I saw the occasional lead runner being gunned down, I could change my mind here. But, for the most part, the game logic at many times, would lean to controlling the trail runner, and conceding the lead runner.

Again, these are for the most part just animation issues, and I can imagine that it is not an easy task to program the animation to the algorithm.

[Bobfather]

I have seen 1,3, and 4.

[Sweed]

Originally Posted by Battman

These are a few things I would either like to see in the game, or seems to have disappeared from V24 to V25. These are really more animation issues, where the algorithm and the animation may not match up precisely. And these are really minor, but would just add to the enjoyment of watching the play.
1) Runners being thrown out by outfielders at bases other than home. I’m playing 1971 with V25. I played 1970 with V24. In V24, I saw one or two BATTERS thrown out trying to take an extra base. I also saw the occasional runner thrown out by the outfielder going to third. I have not seen that yet with V25, just past the All-star break. I will say that most were by my RFer, Roberto Clemente, whose arm seems to have fallen off drastically from 1970 to 1971. He still had a cannon in 1971.
2) I would like to see caught stealing animation closer sometimes. Right now, it is way too obvious with the ball reaching 2nd, and the runner just barely past the half way point.
3) Occasionally, on the throw for the typical double play, maybe arrive just a little late to first, making the speedy batter safe.
4) There are too many throws from the outfield trying to get the lead runner, which allows the batter to take an extra base. Now, you may say that this is in contrast to #1, but if I saw the occasional lead runner being gunned down, I could change my mind here. But, for the most part, the game logic at many times, would lean to controlling the trail runner, and conceding the lead runner.

Again, these are for the most part just animation issues, and I can imagine that it is not an easy task to program the animation to the algorithm.

The bold is indeed a big part of the problem. Animations sometimes don't look right when showing the play. The 3d is one thing that has received many upgrades from version to version since it's inception. It wasn't until v23 or v24 (?) that a third baseman had an animation to step on third, when there were two outs, to end an inning, ie he always threw to first or second. Fielders will also never tag a runner out they are close to (maybe it gets added for v26?). I would imagine there will be many tweaks for v26 along with some new plays too. Will they be the exact ones you brought up? IDK, but both steals and the throw at the lead runners could both use an upgrade.

Originally Posted by Bobfather

I have seen 1,3, and 4.

I've seen them too.

[Pelican]

As to Clemente, it's true that his arm was so good, by late in his career runners were not even trying to take the extra base on him. So he would get fewer OF assists. I'm not sure what stats OOTP uses to calculate OF arm, but the lack of opportunities could cause that. There ought to be a stat like "extra bases prevented". He would have led the league every year.

[Cobbiusto]

I feel like the biggest animation issues remaining, are the plays where they are using the same animation for both out and safe plays. The ball that bounces just in front of the outfielder that is also used for shoestring catches. The out plays at 2nd or 1st base where the visual runner clearly beats the throw on the force play but is ruled out Even the catch made over the fence used for home runs just clearing the wall and the alternate outcomes of catcher throwing out base stealers. I understand the need in programming to use one for both events, but these just need cleaning up to the point that they are not so obvious visually. In other words, make them so close that you can't really tell out or safe by looking. Or else, get permission to use Angel Hernandez as umpire lol.

I agree with the issues concerning too many throws toward the lead runner. Maybe make that an additional team strategy option that can be adjusted. I remember Kirk Gibson saying that on a base hit with a runner on 2nd, Sparky made them always throw to 2nd base the 1st half of the game.

There is one other issue where a runner is on 1st and 3rd with 1 out and the batter hits into a double play. The runner on 3rd starts home and then turns around and jogs back to 3rd, when in reality he would go home automatically when he sees the double play attempt.

[Battman]

Interestingly, the next game after I started this post, Clemente gunned down a hitter trying to advance to second. Even more interesting is that there was a runner going to third. This was the final out of the inning.

[kq76]

1) I'm not sure how common it is IRL, but it's worth checking if OOTP is close to whatever the # is. I feel like I do see a fair # of outs at 3rd via outfielder throws, but maybe not enough at 2B? Who knows though. I certainly haven't checked the %s.

2) Yeah, I totally agree. Far too often the runner is either safe by a mile or out by a mile. I see this over and over again as I've ratcheted up the SBs and CSs in my league. IRL, it sure seems like it's close a lot more often than it is in OOTP. If anything, I'd make the out or safe by a mile the rare outcomes.

3) I feel like I see this enough, but I also prioritize speedy hitters. Maybe you don't? Maybe it should be more.

4) I totally agree that they should go after the trailing runner more often. If it might be close, sure, go after the runner trying to score, but I think the default, at least in low leverage situations, should be to go after the trailing runner. My big gripe lately is the cut-off men too often run into the outfield after getting the ball and sometimes they don't throw the ball to any base.

5) Anothr issue I seem to be seeing a fair bit lately is the 3B not making an attempt to throw out the runner at 1st. Now at first I thought, "cool, I'd rather them hold onto the ball than probably make an error if they're not sure they can make the throw accurate", but I feel like I'm seeing it a bit too often. I can role-play that away in my head though as my 3B is older and probably wiser, but I do wonder if that's maybe an issue others are seeing too.

Thanks for bringing these up!

A feature, not a fix, that I wish we had was a close-up angle on close plays like we see IRL. And the possibility of replay challenges! Just imagine having to make that decision on whether to risk a challenge or not. That'd be pretty cool.

[jbaumgardt1]

Runners being tagged out is one thing I don’t think I’ve ever seen.

[Bunktown Ballers]

Originally Posted by Cobbiusto

I feel like the biggest animation issues remaining, are the plays where they are using the same animation for both out and safe plays. The ball that bounces just in front of the outfielder that is also used for shoestring catches. The out plays at 2nd or 1st base where the visual runner clearly beats the throw on the force play but is ruled out Even the catch made over the fence used for home runs just clearing the wall and the alternate outcomes of catcher throwing out base stealers. I understand the need in programming to use one for both events, but these just need cleaning up to the point that they are not so obvious visually. In other words, make them so close that you can't really tell out or safe by looking. Or else, get permission to use Angel Hernandez as umpire lol.

I agree with the issues concerning too many throws toward the lead runner. Maybe make that an additional team strategy option that can be adjusted. I remember Kirk Gibson saying that on a base hit with a runner on 2nd, Sparky made them always throw to 2nd base the 1st half of the game.

There is one other issue where a runner is on 1st and 3rd with 1 out and the batter hits into a double play. The runner on 3rd starts home and then turns around and jogs back to 3rd, when in reality he would go home automatically when he sees the double play attempt.

No question playing out seasons is the best OOTP has to offer

[Front Office Widget]

I do think the animations are not the best way to watch the game, the Webcast feels a bit more "accurate" to me.

However, the webcast view is unusable in multiplayer leagues when watching downloaded files, because it shows the teams' records statistics at the *current date* rather than the *simulated date*. It would be better if the records and stats were invisible if they can't be for the simulated date.

Not to derail thread, but it is related. And I have seen 1, 3, and 4 from OP, as mentioned.q